Located near the Chickahominy River in Charles City County sits a 24-acre park, Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park, that is rich in history and offers visitors a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. With its prime location right off the Virginia Capital Trail, the park is a great place for cyclists to take a break from the trail and enjoy a picnic.
Settled on the James River, Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park provides a space for fishers and paddlers to enjoy with both a fishing pier and boat ramp available. Other offerings include accessible trails, wooded picnic sites, primitive camping, restrooms, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The Department of Wildlife Resources notes that at the park there is a large concentration of wintering bald eagles, which makes it an appealing site for nature observers. Additionally, a great blue heron rookery is located nearby and is visible from the park. Other wildlife spotted at the park include ospreys, gulls, waterfowl, songbirds, wood ducks, and woodpeckers. History buffs will enjoy visiting this park as there is a Virginia Civil War Trails exhibit on site that describes General Grant crossing the James River for a surprise attack on Lee’s Confederate troops.
For those bikers or paddlers looking for a place to rest after a long day on the Virginia Capital Trail or exploring the river, Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park has three campsites with picnic tables and a group camping area. The campsites are available to reserve through the Charles City County Department of Parks and Recreation site. There is even a bike workstation where you can ensure your tires are filled properly before getting back on the trail. Just north of the park is the Indian Fields Tavern, where you can stop off the trail or the water for a bite to eat!
Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park is a great destination for outdoor recreationalists of all ability levels. Its location near the Virginia Capital Trail makes it a prime location for cyclists to relax and its water access is perfect for those paddlers looking to explore the James River!
